red sesbania
(Sesbania punicea)
This species is Introduced in the United States
ORIGIN: South America
GROWTH TRAITS: Deciduous shrub or small tree typically growing up to 13’ tall (4 m). The root system is not very extensive, especially in waterlogged conditions. The many slender, thornless branches have smooth green bark when young, turning red then brown at maturity. Leaves are alternate, 4-8” long (10-20 cm), and divided into 5-20 pairs of opposite leaflets. Each leaflet is oval-shaped and often ends in a tiny pointed tip. Flowering occurs throughout summer. Flowers occur in drooping clusters 3-10” long (8-25 cm). Each flower is approximately 1” long (2½ cm), red or orange-red, and pea-like (having a banner, wing and keel, typical of the pea family). Fruits are seed pods 2.4-3.1” long (6-8 cm) with pointed tips and 4 longitudinal wings. Pods turn dark brown and open when mature to release 4-10 small, light brown seeds.
REPRODUCTION: By seed only. Seeds germinate rapidly and remain viable in the soil for no more than two years.
HABITAT: Predominantly found in moist soils including riverbanks, drainage ditches, and depressions where moisture accumulates, but can expand into pastures and dry grasslands after prolonged periods of rainfall.
LOOK-ALIKES: Many species in the pea family (Fabaceae) have similar compound leaves, growth form, and preferred habitat. The combination of large red flower clusters, thornless branches, shrubby or small tree size, and presence in moist soils help differentiate red sesbania. The native hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata) can occur in similar habitats and has similar leaf shape and size. Hemp sesbania has yellow flowers and is typically smaller overall.
CITATIONS:
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
GROWTH TRAITS: Deciduous shrub or small tree typically growing up to 13’ tall (4 m). The root system is not very extensive, especially in waterlogged conditions. The many slender, thornless branches have smooth green bark when young, turning red then brown at maturity. Leaves are alternate, 4-8” long (10-20 cm), and divided into 5-20 pairs of opposite leaflets. Each leaflet is oval-shaped and often ends in a tiny pointed tip. Flowering occurs throughout summer. Flowers occur in drooping clusters 3-10” long (8-25 cm). Each flower is approximately 1” long (2½ cm), red or orange-red, and pea-like (having a banner, wing and keel, typical of the pea family). Fruits are seed pods 2.4-3.1” long (6-8 cm) with pointed tips and 4 longitudinal wings. Pods turn dark brown and open when mature to release 4-10 small, light brown seeds.
REPRODUCTION: By seed only. Seeds germinate rapidly and remain viable in the soil for no more than two years.
HABITAT: Predominantly found in moist soils including riverbanks, drainage ditches, and depressions where moisture accumulates, but can expand into pastures and dry grasslands after prolonged periods of rainfall.
LOOK-ALIKES: Many species in the pea family (Fabaceae) have similar compound leaves, growth form, and preferred habitat. The combination of large red flower clusters, thornless branches, shrubby or small tree size, and presence in moist soils help differentiate red sesbania. The native hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata) can occur in similar habitats and has similar leaf shape and size. Hemp sesbania has yellow flowers and is typically smaller overall.
CITATIONS:
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzlander. 2014. New Invaders of the Southwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/14767.pdf
Resources
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council
- Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
- California Invasive Plant Council
- California Noxious Weeds
- Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category II
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 2
- Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
- New Invaders of the Southwest
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Reichard, Sarah. 1994. Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
- South Carolina Invasive Pest Council
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Fabales |
| Family: Fabaceae |
| Genus: Sesbania |
| Sesbania punicea |
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
rattlebox, Chinese wisteria
Related Scientific Names:
Daubentonia punicea (Cav.) DC. (Synonym)
Sesbania tripetii (Poit.) hort. ex Hubb. (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: Weed Science Society of America Common Names List
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.